Businesses operating in south-east Asia have been urged to purchase international domain names at an early stage.

Nguyen Tu Quang, general director of internet security company Bkav, said forward planning – in terms of registering domain names – can save money further along the line.

Speaking to Viet Nam News, he suggested that international domains may be needed for companies looking to export to overseas territories, or establish new foreign bases.

Mr. Quang explained that eCommerce is developing well due to its convenience and low cost, especially for new companies.

“The best way to advertise a trademark was to use an international .com domain name as it was easily recognizable around the world,” he stated.

The expert explained that the development of online business has seen more companies become embroiled in domain name and trademark disputes.

But one way of potentially avoiding litigation is to secure domain names featuring your company brand at as early a stage as possible, he suggested.

The launch of generic top level domains may expose some internet users to greater security dangers, it has been suggested.

Writing for Sophos, Lachlan Urquhart explained that the launch of new domain name suffixes will force reassessment of established perceptions of risk.

“Registration of generic terms like .shoes, .car and .jacket, in addition to recognized brands, may distort indicators of legitimate sites,” he suggested.

The result could be that users increasingly place unfounded trust in dubious domains, Mr Urquhart warned.

He expressed hope that the extensive use of search engines may help mitigate such dangers, by directing web users to the website they are looking for.

Back in December, the US Federal Trade Commission criticized the generic top level domain name program, highlighting potential cybersquatting and phishing risks.

Various other bodies, including the Association of National Advertisers, have also criticized the generic top level domain name plan.

After purchasing a domain name, businesses and organizations need to focus on designing a website appropriate to their end goals.

For many this will be to drive revenue through eCommerce channels, but other websites will be designed primarily to provide information and advice.

But regardless of purpose, if the website is to attract visitors, it must be easy for consumers to use.

Internet psychologist Graham Jones explained that functionality is the key to a good website.

He suggested that, having purchased a domain name, too many firms invest excessive time and money creating fancy sites which are difficult to navigate.

“Most online businesses appear to focus on design – yet this is not what customers worry about,” Mr. Jones commented.

“Design is not directly related to profitability – indeed much research suggests that we are not very influenced by design at all.”

The number of .com domain names registered has passed through the 100 million mark, it has been reported.

VeriSign, which runs the top level domain, explained that the number of .com addresses in its registry rose to 100,540,971 in October 2011.

This represented a 690,243 increase on the previous month, tipping the total into the nine-figure territory.

However, businesses are set to gain access to a range of new alternatives to .com domain names, with the launch of new generic top level domains (gTLDs).

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is currently running a 90-day application window for gTLDs up until April 12th.

Early reports suggest the organization may be willing to approve up to 1,000 new gTLDs, increasing the range of options for internet users.

Domain name hijacking is becoming a more potent threat to online businesses, it has been suggested.

Writing for CIO.com, Meridith Levinson explained that fraudsters and hackers are increasingly targeting websites, putting sensitive information at risk.

The way confidential information is shared is being compromised, she suggested.

Ms. Levinson explained that some organizations’ email can be hacked over an extended period of time, without them even realizing it.

Ram Mohan, a board member of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, explained that one company saw its mail compromised for five months, with outsiders “listening in” on all activity.

“That’s one of the worst cases because it’s disguised and hidden and nobody knows unless you notice where the address is going,” he stated.

As such domain name owners need to take steps to guard their internet real estate, and ensure key account information is kept secure.

Domain names are valuable corporate assets, and this should be reflected in company security policy.

Some generic top level domain name applicants may face a lengthy wait to discover whether they have been successful, it has been claimed.

According to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), applications that have encountered no problems should pass evaluation by November 30, 2012.

The applied-for string can then begin a transition that will result in being delegated into the root zone, before it becomes registered as a top level domain (TLD).

“However, some applications will be subject to special processes depending on the circumstances,” ICANN warned.

“For example, if more than one party has applied to operate the same TLD, attempts to resolve the contention begin.”

ICANN said that some new generic top level domains will clear the process late in the year, and be ready for delegation in early 2013.

But other new gTLDs will have a longer path, the organization stated.

The US Commerce Department has been urged to locate its new Patent and Trademark Office in Pittsburgh, it has been reported.

US Senator Bob Casey believes the city would be the ideal location for a new outlet, due to its “first class workforce” and “burgeoning technology sector”.

“A Patent and Trademark Office in the heart of Pittsburgh would further solidify our city as a hub of innovation and attract entrepreneurs from across the state,” he claimed.

For many years, the Pittsburgh region has been recognized for its strength in developing new and innovative technologies, Senator Casey stated.

“With the strong foundation and partnerships of universities, industry and government entities, the City of Pittsburgh has the criteria necessary to support a US Patent and Trademark Office satellite office,” he claimed.

When the new office opens, it is set to create around 100 jobs in the chosen location.

A number of premium domain names are set to be auctioned off in February, with their owners hoping to recoup sizeable fees.

Bargain.com and democracy.com will be sold to the highest bidder on February 2, 2012, along with several other web addresses with a broad appeal.

Servers.com, work.com, security.com and emails.com are among the others to be sold off in the California domain name auction.

Domain name sales failed to hit the heights of recent years during 2011, with relatively few multi-million dollar transactions.

No single sale came close to rivalling the $16 million paid for Insure.com and its associated assets two years ago.

And with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers now welcoming generic top level domain applications, the web is set to be flooded with new domain names.

It remains to be seen how the launch of new domains impacts upon the value of existing .com sites on the open market.

Businesses and organizations planning to apply for a generic top level domain name (gTLD) need to bear two deadlines in mind.

The 90-day application period for new gTLDs closes on April 12th 2012, after which the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will welcome no new entries.

However, parties working towards submitting a late application need to ensure they have registered with ICANN by an earlier deadline.

All parties seeking to make a gTLD application need to register with the corporation by March 29th, two weeks before the three-month window closes.

ICANN said this date is “important” as there are “various processing requirements” both in the TLD Application System and the automated clearing houses that enable international financial transactions.

After April 2012, ICANN will focus on processing and evaluating the applications received.

The use of trademarks as domain names may constitute infringement, it has been claimed.

According to Lawdit, the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Uniform Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) offers protection to trademark owners in this area.

The UDRP gives them the legal right to seek the transfer of a domain that is identical or confusingly similar to their trademark.

Providing there has been an element of bad faith in the registration of the domain name, WIPO is likely to instruct the owner to give up the legal rights.

This policy allows businesses to operate safe in the knowledge there is an opportunity for recourse should a third party attempt to capitalise on their intellectual property.

Last week, it was reported the Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder is seeking the return of a domain name he recently owned – eddievedder.com.

Upon its expiration, the domain name was registered by a third party known as EV Touring, Inc.